THERE was plenty of smiling faces and fun enjoyed by all who attended the South Leinster/Waterford branch of the Irish Pony Society (IPS) 2022 awards ceremony, hosted in The Kilkenny Rivercourt Hotel last Saturday.

Once again some of the top spots went to Jessica Murphy with overall intermediate pony for 2022 while sisters Hannah and Emma Mackey picked up the overalls for both show pony and show hunter pony respectively.

Aoibheann Ruane yet again had a superb year on her 143cm mare Clonad Rose, scooping the overall open working hunter pony and the 2022 Mountain and Moorland pony. Conor Cusack again took home the cup for the overall Novice Working Hunter pony. Other overall winners were seven-year-old Sophie Connolly in the Mini Show Hunter category and Robin Lyons Teehan for Mini Working Hunter pony.

Jack Lennon received both the overall Equitation Rider and the Young Handler Awards while Aoife Brennan claimed silverware for both the overall Starter Stakes and Performance Pony categories. The overall coloured pony award went to John Bell and Kate Rath Doyle received the Youngstock award.

This region of the IPS is well represented by its members in both Ireland and the UK, where many competed successfully during 2022 at such prestigious shows such as the RDS Horse Show, HOYS and BSPS Summer Championship in Grantham.

Special awards

The awards ceremony concluded with a few special awards. Regional Secretary Melissa O’Connor extended her congratulations to all the members saying: “As a committee we felt it was important that tonight we would recognise individual members who carry attributes that radiate a positivity across the society.”

As a result the committee agreed upon a very special award that went to young lady, Lucy Lennon. Lucy was recognised for her hard work, strides of improvement and her inclusiveness to all around her.

Finally, following on from the inaugural Tiggy’s Trust Special award in 2021, Alison Goff was chosen as the winner of the 2022 Junior award, while Ben Cusack was awarded the Senior accolade.

Melissa explained that this award goes to members who put in the time in producing less experienced ponies and aims to show that their work and dedication does not go unnoticed.